Travel path monitoring systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for travel path monitoring during operation of a mobile platform. The system may include a database configured to store a preprogramed travel plan, a navigation system configured to monitor the travel plan and a geographical position of the mobile platform, a controller operably coupled to the navigation system and the database and configured to, by a processor: detect a deviation of a travel path of the mobile platform from the travel plan, monitor a travel parameter in response to detecting the deviation, and generate a first notification configured to alert a crew of the mobile platform of the deviation in response to the travel parameter exceeding a travel parameter threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for travel path monitoring during operation of a mobile platform, the system comprising:
 a database configured to store a preprogramed travel plan;   a navigation system configured to monitor the travel plan and a geographical position of the mobile platform;   a controller operably coupled to the navigation system and the database and configured to, by a processor:
 detect a deviation of a travel path of the mobile platform from the travel plan; 
 monitor a travel parameter in response to detecting the deviation; and 
 generate a first notification configured to alert a crew of the mobile platform of the deviation in response to the travel parameter exceeding a travel parameter threshold. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the travel parameter is a time lapse since the deviation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the travel parameter is a distance of the mobile platform from the travel plan. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the travel parameter is a distance of the mobile platform from an obstacle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the obstacle is a weather-related hazard. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to, by the processor:
 monitor for one or more actions in response to the first notification; and   generate a second notification configured to alert the crew of the deviation in response to a failure to detect any one of the one or more actions within predetermined conditions.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to, by the processor:
 initiate a first notification timer upon generating the first notification; and   cease the first notification timer upon detection of the one or more actions or upon generating the second notification,   wherein the predetermined conditions include the first notification timer exceeding a first notification threshold.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to, by the processor:
 monitor a distance traveled by the mobile platform upon generating the first notification,   wherein the predetermined conditions include the distance traveled exceeding a first notification threshold.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more actions include a change to a heading of the mobile platform such that the travel path intersects with the travel plan. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more actions include one or more of the crew acknowledging the first notification. 
     
     
         11 . A method for travel path monitoring during operation of a mobile platform, the method comprising:
 storing, in a database, a travel plan for the mobile platform;   detecting, with a processor onboard the mobile platform, a deviation of a travel path of the mobile platform from the travel plan;   monitoring, with the processor, a travel parameter in response to detecting the deviation; and   generating, with the processor, a first notification configured to alert a crew of the mobile platform of the deviation in response to the travel parameter exceeding a travel parameter threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the travel parameter is a time lapse since the deviation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the travel parameter is a distance of the mobile platform from the travel plan. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the travel parameter is a distance of the mobile platform from an obstacle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the obstacle is a weather-related hazard. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, with the processor:
 monitoring for one or more actions in response to the first notification; and   generating a second notification configured to alert the crew of the deviation in response to a failure to detect any one of the one or more actions within predetermined conditions.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, with the processor:
 initiating a first notification timer upon generating the first notification; and   ceasing the first notification timer upon detection of the one or more actions or upon generating the second notification,   wherein the predetermined conditions include the first notification timer exceeding a first notification threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, with the processor:
 monitoring a distance traveled by the mobile platform upon generating the first notification,   wherein the predetermined conditions include the distance traveled exceeding a first notification threshold.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more actions include a change to a heading of the mobile platform such that the travel path intersects with the travel plan. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more actions include one or more of the crew acknowledging the first notification.